Gator crusader: Alligator sanctuary near Battle Creek only one of its kind within 500 miles

ATHENS -- David Critchlow has had a passion for alligators for more than 20 years.

At one point, his backyard in Pennfield was a rescue for dozens of reptiles donated by owners and zoos.

Nearly three months ago, he opened the four-and-a-half acre Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary and Zoological Gardens in Athens, about 12 miles south of Battle Creek.

It's the only such sanctuary within 500 miles, Critchlow said.

Mark Bugnaski / GazetteDavid Critchlow, owner of Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary and Zoological Gardens in Athens, holds one of his young alligators on display. Critchlow trains his alligators to come by name.

The sanctuary is open to the public and home to about 50 American alligators and a handful of tortoises and snakes. Critchlow, who operates the sanctuary with his wife and daughter, created it to provide a safe and healthy home where alligators can spend the rest of their lives. He has plans to expand someday so that he can also accept other members of the 23-species Crocodilian family, including crocodiles.

"I really enjoy sharing my passions and experiences with the general public and especially with children," Critchlow said. "Most people do not get the opportunity to see this animal up close and personal, and I feel very privileged to be able to share them with everyone. Further, I am always amazed by the different individual personalities of each alligator and their response to the training that we provide them."

The alligators are donated, and Critchlow doesn't breed them. Alligators are a legal pet in Michigan but outlawed in some communities, including the city of Kalamazoo.

Mark Bugnaski / GazetteThe Alligators at Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary and Zoological Gardens in Athens move to the edge of the pond when David Critchlow comes near and they anticipate being fed special pellets. The alligators are not fed meat. Critchlow trains his alligators to come by name and obey a handful of commands.

He said he has rescued alligators from homes raided by drug enforcement and animal control as well as zoos that don't know how to care for them properly. Some people adopt baby alligators from pet stores and don't know what to do with them when they get 4-feet long and beyond. Critchlow takes them in without question.

He said that new alligators are quarantined until they are able to adapt to other alligators. Even with about 40 alligators of all sizes in one fenced-in pond, Critchlow and daughter Lina Critchlow say there are no incidents of fighting and aggression.

Lina Critchlow, who trains the alligators, feeds even the biggest alligators by hand, including the "alpha male" named Godzilla who rules the pond. The alligators each have names and are rewarded when they respond to them. She trains them to walk into their own crates to be transported and doesn't have to restrain them. She said they can learn eight to 10 words and respond to commands.

Mark Bugnaski / GazetteDavid Critchlow pets one of larger alligators on display. He trains his alligators to come by name.

David Critchlow said the biggest challenge is working with alligators that haven't been cared for properly.

"The most challenging aspects would be working directly with alligators who have been mistreated or who are unhealthy, where it's difficult to create a level of trust between me and the animal," he said.

Eleven-year-old Jacob Brubaker, of Marshall, watched David Critchlow's impromptu presentation about the alligators at the sanctuary on a recent Saturday.

Fascinated, he -- along with a dozen other children, many there as part of a birthday party -- peppered Critchlow with questions. They took turns holding a 2-1/2-year-old female named Alphabet Soup and tossed special food pellets into the pond.

"This is so interesting," Jacob said. "I never knew there was so much to learn about alligators."

The alligators will be moved indoors to a new building in October or November, but they thrive in Michigan's summer, early fall and spring climate.

A veterinarian who specializes in reptiles makes house calls, and an alligator (named Jack) with a tumor on his spine is receiving special care from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

David Critchlow and his daughter have attended the American Zoo and Aquarium's courses on crocodile behavior and captive management in Florida. Lina Critchlow has taken additional animal-training classes at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida.

The sanctuary received a grant from Denso Corp. in Battle Creek, but primarily is funded by gate operations, donations and fees for speaking engagements.